Alkaline SOil

[Syed Adnan]

I have just tested my soil PH, the PH is slightly alkaline , if i add Peatmoss would it help to bring it to slightly acidic soil, i believe the best soil is slightly acidic for spring flaowers and Bulbs, what you suggest ? any experience ?

[Izhar]

Yes, peatmoss will help you achieving your desired pH range, you can use ferrous sulfate solution for already established plants..

[Syed Adnan]

OK, what should be soil to peatmoss ratio, do you believe neutral soil is better or slightly acidic for summer flowers ?

[Izhar]

Soil:peat moss in 3:1 ratio, slightly acidic soil is preferred as at this pH all of the micro-nutrients become available for the roots to absorb..

[Farhan Ahmed]

Kindly inform is there any way of testing soil for PH at home......i doubt there would be any lab near me...?

[Syed Adnan]

Sure there is a way, home soil test kits are available here, i doubt about PAK bit Pride seeds might have it, see below photos of my latest test it is very accurate as i compared to the PH written on BAG of POtting soil matching my test results. I also have SOil testing instrument purchased from ebay has an accurate fertility , hydration and light tests.

[Syed Adnan]

As Izhar suggested i just added Peat Moss (PH=4) to my soil, last year alkaline nature of soil adversely effected Pansies, Renunculus and Diantuhus. SUre this time it will be good.

[M Farooq]

How good is sulfur powder in treating soil alkalinity?

[M Farooq]

Kindly inform is there any way of testing soil for PH at home......i doubt there would be any lab near me...?

I can suggest a poor man's way- extract a red Hibiscis flower in warm water (ideally distilled). Microwave the flower in distilled water. Suspend a small amount of soil in water and filter it over cotton. Mix the filtrate from soil and the Hibiscus flower extract. See whats happens to the colour. If it becomes greenish, your soil is alkaline. If it becomes bright red your soil is acidic.

Red cabbage has even better pH grades, you can compare here


http://www.erowid.org/archive/rhodium/c ... abbage.jpg

Regards,
Farooq

[Syed Adnan]

WOW ! nice info .